The Town currently sprays for adult mosquitoes only when a positive mosquito sample from an area is tested and shown to be positive for the West Nile virus. If this occurs, the Town would then have a licensed mosquito contractor spray the immediate area, approximately 1/2 square mile, surrounding where the mosquitoes were found to be positive for the West Nile virus.If the Town receives confirmation from the Denton County Health Department Epidemiologist that a cluster of persons (multiple unrelated within a specific radius) have been positively diagnosed with West Nile virus, the Town would then have a licensed mosquito contractor spray the immediate area, approximately 1/2 square mile, surrounding the cluster field. For ground spraying events, the Town currently follows the CDC recommended spraying guidelines. The CDC recommends ground spraying to occur for 3 consecutive nights within the designated spray area.In the event of notification of a single human case of West Nile infection, the Town does not conduct spraying activities immediately. The Town increases trapping in the surrounding area. Normal procedures for testing and spraying are followed.

The Town does not spray routinely for nuisance mosquitoes. Spraying occurs only due to the identification of the presence of West Nile virus and is limited to the immediate 1/2 square mile area and is done so to aid in the reduction of mosquito borne infection in humans. Research has shown that spraying for adult mosquitoes is only about 2-3% effective, in that the spray must actually contact mosquitoes in order to kill them because there is no residual effect.

A much more effective means of controlling the mosquito population is to reduce the source and number of breeding areas. By eliminating areas of standing water and treating areas of standing water that cannot be eliminated with an effective, environmentally safe, mosquito larvicide, mosquito larvae can be reduced or eliminated. Only about 1% of mosquitoes are actually infected with the West Nile Virus, and only about 2% of the individuals that are bitten by an infected mosquito actually develop the symptoms of West Nile virus.

The easiest and best thing anyone can do to help control and reduce the mosquito population is to take a moment to survey their own property to make sure that they are not creating areas of standing water, which is what mosquitoes require to lay eggs and reproduce. Check items such as flower pots, bird baths, ornamental pots or basins, and fountains to make sure that there is no standing water for mosquitoes to breed in. One often-forgotten problem area is the rain gutters on the home. Often they become clogged with leaves, especially after heavy rains or storms, and then they hold water which becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If residents have ornamental fountains and other things designed to hold water, they can apply over-the-counter mosquito-control products that prevent mosquito larvae from growing in the water. These products are identical in composition to many of the products that the Town now uses to control mosquitoes and contain an environmentally friendly ingredient know as “BTI,” short for Bacillus thurengensis israelensis. These can be found at local hardware and home centers under trade names such as “Mosquito Dunks,” “Dunk Its,” etc. For more information on mosquitoes and mosquito control, please see our Mosquitos page .

There are several steps you can take to avoid mosquito bites and reduce your chances of being exposed to West Nile Virus:

If you must go outside during these periods, wear loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pants.

Try to stay inside during peak periods of activity for mosquitoes, usually at dawn and dusk.

Use a repellent that contains at least 10- 30% DEET. Most over-the-counter repellents now prominently list whether they contain DEET or not on their labels. Research has shown that formulations that contain DEET are the most effective at repelling mosquitos.

Work on reducing any potential breeding sources of standing water on your own property.

Remember: The chance that any one person is going to become ill with West Nile Virus from a single mosquito bite remains low. It is estimated that only 1 percent of the mosquitos out there at any given time are actually carrying the virus and that only 1-2 % of the people that are bitten by an infected mosquito develop full-stage symptoms of the disease. Statistically, the risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.

Although the Town of Flower Mound does not currently permit and/or inspect in-home child care facilities, there are restrictions regarding these types of in-home occupations. First of all, the facility must be permitted through the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services as an in-home child care facility. For information on this, please see their website.

The Town of Flower Mound does limit the number of children that may be kept in an in-home child care facility to six children under the age of 12 years old, plus three additional after-school children, for a total of nine children. This number also includes any children of the homeowner. In addition, the homeowner may not put out any type of sign or advertising at the property identifying it as a child care facility.

Contact the Environmental Health Services Division at 972.874.6340, and an inspector will survey the area in question to see if there are any obvious conditions that may be conducive to rodent breeding and harborage (piles of trash, debris, tall grass, etc.). The Town cannot put out poisonous baits, poisons, traps, etc., due to the liability involved and the hazard that this would pose to children, pets, and other non-target animals. However, if any of the above conditions are observed, the inspector will issue a notice to the property owner to abate these conditions.

Yes, the Fire Department's apparatus have lights that emit a particular frequency of flashing light that activates a control on the traffic lights to cause them to change to green in the direction of travel. They are called Opticoms. You may see us occasionally driving around checking them by driving through intersections with only one flashing white light.

Dispose of half-empty paint cans by opening them and allowing them to dry solid. Then dispose of in regular trash pick-up. Another way is to take them to a local paint store that accepts discarded paint. Do not throw liquid paint in the regular trash pick-up.

Old oil or gasoline may be discarded at a local Auto Parts Dealer or a local Oil Change Franchise. However, call first to make sure they are willing to accept your discarded products. Please, do not try to burn it.

A burn permit may be obtained by calling the Fire Department at 972.874.6270 and requesting one. However, certain requirements must be met before a permit can be issued. These requirements are published on the burn permit webpage.

Camp fires are illegal. Open burning is illegal, except under permit (see the burn permit webpage) and within the regulations as prescribed. Special considerations for various outdoor events may be granted through the Fire Marshal's Office.

Ambulance billing is consistent with promulgated ordinances within the Town. Taxes provide for a portion of the operating expenses for our Emergency Medical Service (EMS). An itemized bill is sent for all transports to any of the area hospitals. The amount of that bill is dependent on the level of care and service provided to the individual. This is an attempt to recoup specific costs associated with the particular service provided. The revenues gained through this process offset the additional costs of providing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

The difference between an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a paramedic is a matter of training. A paramedic goes through more training and can provide a higher level of emergency care than an EMT. A paramedic is an EMT. There are different levels of EMT training:

On occasion, the fire engine and ambulance will be driving with lights and sirens and then suddenly turn them off, perhaps only to turn into a shopping center parking lot. Be assured that when this happens it means we have received information through our 9-1-1 dispatchers that the caller or incident is no longer a dire emergency. It is what we call “being disregarded.” Any or all of the apparatus may continue to drive to the call or perhaps some will return to the fire station, but we do not do it just to get to the store faster.

The Town of Flower Mound does not furnish the firefighters' meals while on duty. We contribute to a shift / station fund and purchase our own groceries to cook meals while at work. Sometimes you may see us out picking up meals at one of the local restaurants.

Fire hydrants are different colors to indicate the size of the water main they are connected to. The color gives us an idea how much water we can expect to get out of a particular hydrant. Red indicates the smallest main size, then blue, and finally green. Other cities may use other colors. Flower Mound paints all the hydrants silver and then paints the top the corresponding color for the main size.

Firefighters at the station work from 7 a.m. until 7 a.m. the next day. We work 24 hours on duty and then have 48 hours off duty. From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. we are actively working toward some productive measures. This could include training, vehicle maintenance, cleaning the station, hydrant maintenance, preplan, public education tours, or several other things. After 7 p.m. firefighters may relax and watch TV, read, study, or sleep. However, at any point in time we may have to go on an emergency call.

The patient cot has a thin, firm mattress that lays directly on an aluminum frame that provides very little comfort. Unfortunately, the cot must be firm in order for us to perform CPR on critically ill patients. In addition, we try to respond to medical emergencies as quickly as possible in order to provide timely, life-saving treatment. Consequently, this requires vehicles with good road-handling characteristics. If these large, heavy vehicles had a softer, more "spongy" suspension that would provide a smoother ride, they would not be safe to drive to the scene as quickly as possible.

A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is best for the home. Look for the rating to be at least 2A:10B:C on the label. This extinguisher can be used on any type of fire commonly found in the home. It will often be labeled A-B-C and may be located at many Flower Mound retail establishments.

Interlibrary loan request forms are available online and at the Information Desk. The reference librarian will be happy to assist you. Please fill out the form completely and indicate the date no longer needed.

You will be contacted by telephone or email (as indicated by your choice in your library patron account) when the item arrives. The item will be held for you for five days. If the item is not picked up in the time allotted, it will be returned to the lending library and a cancellation notice will be put into your patron record. Three cancellation notices will result in ILL privileges being revoked. If you request material that cannot be obtained through ILL, the pertinent information will be noted in your patron record.

Interlibrary loan requests will be limited to three per borrower at a time. Requests for copies of periodical articles that do not need to be checked out are not limited.

Most materials are received within two to three weeks. Because the process is dependent upon responses from other institutions and delivery systems, delivery time may vary widely. Some materials, e.g. items which are difficult to locate, may take considerably longer than average. A few items may never become available for borrowing. Try to allow adequate lead time when making a request. If you have a specific deadline by which you need the material, indicate upon the form where it shows a "need-by-date." We will try to obtain the item by that date or will cancel the request if it cannot be obtained within that time.

Materials are checked out for the length of time the lender allows. Interlibrary loans cannot be renewed. In cooperation with the lending library, we are obligated to return all materials on time. Interlibrary loan service is dependent upon the cooperation of many libraries and their staff. Please help by returning your materials on time. Consistently overdue items will result in the suspension of interlibrary loan privileges for you and the library.

You may either pay the fine amount, or request a court appearance, probation, or defensive driving.

If this citation is for failing to display proof of insurance and you can show proof of coverage on the date of citation issuance, the citation will be dismissed.

If your citation is for an expired inspection sticker, and it is renewed within 20 working days and was not expired more than sixty days, the Judge may charge a $20 administration fee and dismiss the violation.

If your citation is for an expired registration sticker, and it is renewed and the penalty fee is paid with the tax assessor collector’s office within 20 working days, the judge may charge a $20 administration fee and dismiss the violation.

Proof must be delivered to the court office within the first 15 days after receiving your citation. If you fail to provide proof as required, a Failure to Appear (FTA) charge will be levied and can result in an additional $292 fine. Driving Safety Course

You may contact the Municipal Court offices by calling 972.874.3370 during normal business hours, excluding holidays, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Give your citation number or name and court personnel will be able to tell you the amount of your fine. Please allow three working days for the citation to be entered into our computer system before making an inquiry.

Yes. Checks must be made out to the Town of Flower Mound Municipal Court. Two party checks are not acceptable. Return checks will result in a $25 fee being assessed and the case will be considered open. A warrant may be issued for your arrest until the fees have been paid in full.

Deferred disposition is up to six-months unsupervised probation. During the deferral period, you cannot receive another violation of the same nature. To qualify for deferred disposition, you cannot currently be on a deferred disposition program at this court or any other court. You cannot have completed a deferred disposition program in the last 12 months.

If you qualify, fill out an application for deferred disposition. You will be required to pay the applicable special expense fee and state costs at the time of the application.

If you would like to know what the total special expense fee and state costs will be prior to your coming into the office and completing an application, you may call 972.874.3370.

Shorts, swimsuits, tank tops, muscle shirts, exposed midriffs, hats, and caps are not allowed. Shoes are required. All packages, purses, briefcases, etc. are subject to search by the bailiff at anytime. Individuals causing distraction or disruptions are subject to removal from the courtroom. No food or drinks are allowed in the courtroom.

Your request for a continuance must be presented in writing prior to your scheduled court appearance. Your request must be requested in person, by mail, or by fax. Continuances will not be granted by telephone. All continuances require the judge's approval before being rescheduled.

Yes, a portion of Flower Mound lies within a gas deposit known as the Barnett Shale. The Barnett Shale is a large natural gas reserve that stretches underground across an approximately 17-county area. It contains an estimated 26 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and is located approximately 1.5 miles below the surface. In recent years, advances in drilling technology have made it possible for energy companies to extract large amounts of natural gas from the Barnett Shale.

Although the issue of the taking of property is one that is the subject of much constitutional debate, a taking of property generally occurs when a government has taken private property for a public use without adequate compensation being paid to the owner. Takings are unconstitutional under both the federal and state constitutions. There are two types of takings: (i) physical occupation (where the government actually occupies someone’s land without any compensation to the owner); or (ii) regulatory taking (where a government regulation denies an owner of the use of his or her land). State and federal courts consistently have held that any local government regulation that prohibited all mining or oil and gas drilling operations inside the local government’s limits was an unconstitutional taking of property since it did not permit the mineral estate owner to either quarry his land or access his minerals. Thus, the right of an owner to access his/her mineral estate cannot be prohibited; however, a local government may regulate setbacks or other siting requirements.

No. Only the mineral owner and the mineral lessee profit from the operations. The Town does receive ad valorem taxes, which are assessed and collected by the Tarrant County or Denton County Appraisal District.

The Town’s government is subject to all laws imposed by the Town Charter, the United States and Texas Constitutions, the State of Texas, the United States government, and the courts, and how any of those may impact the legal parameters of gas drilling activities. The Town Council may adopt, repeal or amend existing ordinances related to any aspect of oil and gas drilling and production in Flower Mound. The Council also appoints members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, who by ordinance serve as the members of the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals, and members of the Oil and Gas Advisory Board, which will make recommendations to the Town Council about proposed amendments to the Town’s existing oil and gas regulations. The Town Council has no responsibilities in terms of approving or denying applications or appeals for drilling permits in the Town. Town staff is responsible for reviewing all applications for gas well permits, providing comments and feedback to permit applicants regarding technical issues and compliance with Town ordinances relative to oil and gas drilling and production, and administratively approving or denying permits based upon the Town’s Code of Ordinances.

The Board of Appeals considers Oil and Gas permit appeals and either approves or denies variance requests. Oil and Gas Board of Appeals decisions are final and not appealable to the Town Council. If an applicant wishes to challenge a decision of the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals relative to an administrative determination of the Town’s Oil and Gas Inspector or the denial of a setback variance, then the only recourse is to file suit in court.

Yes. The Town adopted oil and gas well regulations in 2003 and has since adopted amendments in 2005, 2007, and the new ordinance adopted in 2011. The regulations govern a variety of safety, nuisance, and aesthetic issues commonly associated with gas wells including emergency management plans, noise abatement, and setbacks. The complete regulations can be found in the Oil and Gas Drilling Ordinance. It is considered one of the most stringent in north Texas, and was used by several other cities as a template in the creation of other municipal Oil and Gas Well Drilling ordinances.

Yes. The Town adopted oil and gas well pipeline regulations in 2007 and has since adopted amendments in 2010. The complete regulations can be found in the Oil and Gas Pipeline Ordinance. Oil and Gas Pipeline Ordinances

Application and permitting requirements are outlined in the Town’s Oil and Natural Gas Ordinance. The process requires an applicant to submit required fees and plans to the Town for review. All setback requirements, site plan requirements, and emergency response plans are reviewed by multiple Town departments. Applications may be administratively approved if all requirements are met. If an application cannot meet the ordinance requirements, variances to the requirements must by requested before the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals if an applicant wants to proceed.

Town staff inspects the pad sites both regularly and on reported issues. For drilling, fracturing, and other operations that would qualify for an active site, the operations/pad sites are inspected approximately three times per week or more to monitor the operations. For sites that are in production only, the operations/pad sites are typically inspected once per week. Town staff also conducts a thorough inspection once per month for each pad site. The monthly inspection covers items such as having the required signage and correct emergency contact information, checking for any spills, maintenance of the perimeter of the site, noise monitoring, general air quality check for the ongoing production and possible compression-related operation, and compliance with landscaping, fencing/screening requirements. Ongoing ambient air monitoring is also conducted by a third party and the results are posted on the Town's Air Quality page. Non-compliance with the Town's regulations results in a penalty, which can include citations or additional enforcement actions depending on the nature of the violation or non-compliance.

Once a gas well(s) and the associated pad site are permitted, an applicant/operator may submit an application and the required site plans for additional gas wells in the future. Each additional well requires the applicant to submit the required fee, permit application documents, and the application follows the standard review process. If new wells, surface equipment, and/or a pad site expansion do not meet the ordinance requirements and setback distance requirements, the application is denied and the applicant may then amend their plan and/or proceed to the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals for a variance.

Yes. The Town’s ordinances provide that if an applicant meets the requirements of the oil and gas ordinances, than the oil and gas inspector shall issue a permit for the drilling of the well or the installation of the facilities for which the permit application was made. If there is an appeal from the applicant, usually because a setback variance is needed, then the Oil and Gas Board of Appeals either grants or denies the requested variances. In addition, section 2.02.3 of the Town Charter authorizes the Town Manager to enforce state law and Town ordinances.

A gas well is not a Master Plan, zoning, or SMARTGrowth issue since those all relate to surface development. SMARTGrowth simply is not applicable and has no bearing on gas wells. Note that it is a land development regulation, in the zoning code, and relates to adequate public infrastructure—streets, roadways, sewer, water, traffic issues, etc.—all of which address surface development and whether the Town can support the development with sufficient infrastructure.

The Town’s tree ordinance allows the owner of any property zoned agricultural to remove up to 19 protected trees annually. There is an administrative tree removal permit required, which generally takes one week for review. A tree removal request on agriculturally zoned property does not go to a board and does not require a Town Council vote. The agricultural tree removal permit differs from the other types of tree removal permits discussed in the tree ordinance in several ways. First, this permit does not have to be associated with any type of development. Second, the only criteria necessary for approval are that the property be zoned agricultural and that the trees be protected and not specimen. The tree ordinance does not require the property owner to give any other reasons for requesting the agricultural tree removal permit. Staff verifies that all trees requested for removal are protected trees, not specimen, as referenced in the ordinance. The criteria for tree removal in a platted, subdivision lot, is different.

Specimen trees are the only ones that require a tree removal permit. Removal of specimen trees would require going before the Tree Board (ECC) and then to Town Council for approval. The specimen tree removal permit process is the same for any property in Town that is under the tree ordinance. Protected trees are allowed to be removed from the buildable area on the site once they have an approved building permit. These do not require going through the tree removal permit process. Non-protected trees include tree species that are not on the Town’s protected tree list (cottonwood, hackberry, eastern red cedar, etc.), or trees that are smaller than six inches in diameter. Once a property is developed and a certificate of occupancy has been obtained, the tree ordinance does not apply and one could potentially remove any tree that lies outside of the floodplain.

Staff will regularly monitor the noise levels being produced from equipment at the gas well sites. During active periods (such as drilling and fracking), staff will monitor the sites multiple times a week to ensure compliance with the prescribed noise levels. Once the site has entered into production, noise levels are much more constant and on a monthly basis and as needed due to changes in operations and/or complaints.

An applicant may request an appeal or variance to the Town’s Oil and Gas Board of Appeals if the gas well(s) and/or related surface equipment do not comply with the established distance setback requirements, or an appeal may be requested of a decision or determination made by the Town’s oil and gas inspector. The variance or appeal may be requested to reduce the distance requirement to environmentally sensitive areas, residences, public buildings, hospitals, churches, schools, parks, road or right-of-way, and property lines as outlined in the Oil and Gas Drilling and Production regulations.

A pad site can contain a single gas well and the associated surface equipment or a pad site can contain multiple gas wells. A typical gas well pad site contains more than one gas well, and the size of a pad site depends on the number of gas wells and associated surface equipment.

During drilling operations there are personnel on-site 24 hours. Completion operations are usually conducted during the day, but personnel may be on-site 24 hours during a short flow-back period. If there are not personnel on-site (Operations or Private Security), then the site/equipment must be secured.

Yes. The Town has been in contact with county, state, and federal leaders regarding the subject of environmental testing. In addition, the Town has commissioned numerous rounds of independent air quality testing. Please visit the Air Quality page for more information and to review all test reports.

The Barnett Shale Viewer is a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality interactive mapping tool that displays that agency’s air sampling results throughout the Barnett Shale Geographical Area. Updated monthly by the fifth business day of the month, the viewer illustrates specific locations and the type of air quality monitoring that has been completed. Detailed monitoring reports from the samples are also available through the TCEQ website.

VOCs are organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the earth's atmosphere. Volatile organic compounds are numerous and varied. VOCs are common in nature and in an industrial society, but are often regulated. Examples include formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and xylene.

Yes, they did. The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) conducted an analysis in both Flower Mound zip codes (75022 and 75028) in response to requests from several residents. A final copy is available for download on the Air Quality section of the Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Page. Air Quality section of the Oil and Natural Gas Dr

The Town works with the appropriate state agencies to require the soil or water testing when necessary due to a source spill, release, and/or product loss. Flower Mound’s 2011 ordinance requires that water wells located within 1,500 feet of a gas well to be sampled, both pre- and post-drilling. The ordinance establishes a fine/penalty not to exceed $2,000 per violation per day with each day that a violation exists constituting a separate offense.

Yes. The Town has worked with state officials and field experts to install a permanent air quality monitoring station that provides on-going ambient air analysis. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has installed an autoGC air quality monitor in Flower Mound. This technology allows for 24-hour monitoring via the Internet. Therefore, residents are able to monitor the air quality in Flower Mound. The monitor is located near the Fire Station 2 at the intersection of Cross Timbers and Shiloh Road. Results from the monitor can be viewed through the link below. Air Quality webpage

Yes. The Town Council has approved funding for a full-time position to monitor air quality and gas well operations in Flower Mound. Funding was also approved for additional equipment for Town Staff to utilize in continual monitoring efforts including a Photoionization Detector (PID) and a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) that will enable staff to conduct air monitoring at operational sites. In addition, the Town has contracted for independent air quality sampling to be conducted on a monthly basis. The increased funding required for air quality testing is sourced from the 2011 ordinance’s increase in annual inspection fees assessed to operators of gas wells in the Town’s jurisdiction.

The equipment will test for a variety of compounds including benzene, xylene, and toluene. A description of the monitoring equipment and the compounds monitored by TCEQ website, linked below. TCEQ website

Air testing/monitoring has been conducted by the TCEQ and ambient air evaluations have been conducted by the Town’s contractor; all air testing and monitoring results are posted online at the Air Quality page. Air Quality webpage

Seismic surveying is a testing method used by oil and gas operators to acquire data about the subsurface formation relative to hydrocarbon recovery. The process produces a three-dimensional seismic or geophysical survey that allows natural gas companies to identify potential drilling locations.

Seismic surveying involves an energy source and recording equipment. The energy source typically utilized in North Texas consists of vibroseis trucks which send out vibrations/seismic waves into the ground typically over 8-15 second "sweeps" over a designated area. The trucks are prohibited from operating within the Town's right-of-way and on Town property. The seismic wave generated by the trucks is reflected and returns to the surface and is recorded by receivers or geophones. The geophones consist of cables and a small antennae attached to a box; the recording equipment is also required to be placed outside of the right-of-way.

Seismic surveying operations are not permissible in the public right-of-way and/or on Town of Flower Mound property. In addition, surveying companies should obtain authorization from private property owners to conduct seismic surveying operations on private property. Property owners who authorize their property for use may see location markers or flags indicating potential locations for surveying/recording equipment such as the cables with the antennae and box. Operations maps and schedules are submitted to the Town of Flower Mound by those organizations conducting such operations within the community. The Town of Flower Mound provides this information as a courtesy to our residents and is not responsible for the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained in either the submitted schedule or map. The information contained in these documents should be considered general in nature. Please call the Environmental Services Division at 972.874.6340 for more specific information regarding seismic testing schedules or locations.

Staff received several calls regarding seismic surveying equipment located in private yards, HOA property, and occasionally within the Town’s rights-of-way. Staff responded to the concerns by removing equipment from the rights-of-way, speaking to multiple residents, creating an informational webpage for seismic operations, and issuing a citation to the company conducting the operations. Staff also continued to monitor the areas affected to ensure the operator complied with the Town’s seismic surveying requirements.

The Town's ordinances require the operator to provide the locations and timeline for the operations; therefore, questions about the operations can be directed to the Town's Environmental Services Division at 972.874.6340. If the unauthorized placement of equipment on private property occurs, please contact Town staff to obtain information about the operations and the company conducting the surveying.

If a gas drilling operator is applying to site a new location for the drilling and production of natural gas, they are required to notify the public living within 1,500 feet of the site. Upon approval of an oil and gas permit, the operator has 15 days to send out an educational letter explaining typical operations associated with natural gas drilling and production. Additionally, Town staff maintains a Gas Well Status Report, which is updated as needed to reflect any changes in operation and/or site plans at natural gas drilling and production sites. Residents with any questions or concerns regarding gas drilling may contact the Town’s Environmental Services Division at 972.874.6340.

Yes. It is possible that the mineral ownership may be different than surface ownership. A deed/title search may be necessary for one to determine who actually owns the minerals under a piece of property.

There is no documented evidence of drilling affecting foundations. Most foundation problems occurring in the North Texas area are a result of ground swell and contraction during alternating periods of wet and dry weather.

As a general rule, an operator would rather have the surface owner’s permission before placing a well site on a particular property and will pay appropriate damage fees to the surface owners. Any other actions would be preceded by legal action involving the operator and the property owner.

A sign will be placed near the proposed well site advising that a permit application has been approved. Additional notification may be required depending on setback distances to residential and/or public buildings. A 300-foot-by-300-foot pad generally will be prepared and a drilling rig will move onto the location. The drilling rig will be on site for approximately 20 to 30 days per gas well actually “drilling” the well and running pipe into the open hole; pad sites may contain multiple gas wells. After the well is drilled, the drilling rig will move off the site. The rig move and drilling is a 24-hour operation and the noisiest part of the operation. Shortly thereafter, well “completion” will begin and a smaller portable rig will move onto the location. After completion operations, surface equipment will be installed along with appropriate fencing and gates. From this point there will be minimal activity on the location. Occasionally a small rig will be brought to the location for remedial work.

The Town has contracted with Integra Realty Resources DFW, LLP, to analyze the impact of gas well and centralized collection facilities on property values. The study may be viewed through the link below. Integra Real Estate Impact Report

An Emergency Response Plan is required as part of the gas well permit application. In the case of gas wells, it has been determined that one plan is not a viable alternative and that if a situation should arise, it should be handled based on the type of incident and the information available.

The criteria used by the Flower Mound Fire Department to approve submitted plans are embodied in the related National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Codes and Standards, Texas Railroad Commission rules relative to fire protection, Town Ordinances, and the International Fire Code.

A traffic signal can only be installed when warranted per criteria established in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Traffic associated with gas well development is speculative in nature and dependent upon variables such as the number of wells in production, the stage of production, etc. Additionally, the safety concerns associated with trucks used for gas well operations are not different than those associated with other heavy trucks (e.g., construction, delivery, moving vans, etc.).

The Town does not lease nor provide advice about leasing private property for gas exploration and drilling. Information provided by the Town addresses general issues related to gas drilling and mineral leases and is not intended to provide advice on any specific legal matter or factual situation. This information is not intended to create and its receipt does not constitute a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. Gas companies offering leases for gas exploration and drilling for privately owned minerals, including those with the words “Town of Flower Mound" as part of their name or logo, are not associated with or endorsed by the Town of Flower Mound.

The process takes approximately eight to ten weeks, depending on your rank on the eligibility list and factors in your background. Read more about the hiring process for the Flower Mound Police Department.

Generally three trips are necessary. One trip is for the initial testing, the second for the personal interview, and the third for the polygraph, psychological, and medical / drug screen. Contact us at 972.874.3330 for more information.

Honesty and integrity are important facets of police work. If you are found intentionally omitting important information or being deceptive, you will be permanently disqualified from the hiring process.

That depends on why you were disqualified. If you fail the written test, physical fitness test, or the Oral Board, you may reapply after six months. You may reapply after one year if you fail the psychological examination. Any other disqualification will result in a minimum disqualification of one year or possible permanent disqualification.

Applicants will not be considered if they were discharged under less than honorable conditions. All other discharges (such as uncharacterized) will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Refer to our requirements page for more details about this.

A police officer must be at least 21 years old to be licensed in Texas. There is no maximum age limit to apply for the Flower Mound Police Department. As long are you are fit enough to pass the physical fitness test, medical examination, and complete the police academy (if necessary), there are no physical limitations on who can apply.

The written examination measures the ability to learn and apply police information, the ability to observe and remember details, the ability to use judgment and logic, and verbal and reading comprehension. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions.

Yes. Once your application and personal history statement are reviewed by the background investigator, you will be contacted about your eligibility. If you have met the minimum requirements, you will be notified of the next test date.

Go to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) website and review the Out of State Application Process in the Forms and Applications section. Out of state officers must complete the mandated training and may challenge the state test for certification.

Yes. To obtain a Vacation Watch, you will need to complete a Vacation Watch Request Form that can be obtained in the front lobby of the police department, or you can click the link below to print and complete the form. Drop off the completed form in our front lobby before you go. We encourage you to complete the form before the day you travel. If we have any questions or concerns about the information you provided we can attempt to contact you before you leave. The Flower Mound Police Department will attempt to patrol this location at least once in a 24 hour period and a routine foot patrol may be conducted. Level of service is dependent upon your answers to the questions on the Vacation Watch Request Form and our level of other police activity at the time of the patrol. A Vacation Watch shall last no longer than 30 days and shall only be permitted to be repeated on the same dwelling after a 30 day lapse between Vacation Watches. Vacation Watches can only be requested on single family dwellings.

The Flower Mound Police Department offers child safety seat inspections to ensure that your child is secured properly when riding in the family vehicle. We understand the importance of safety when it comes to transporting such valuable cargo. Many people feel that since they have read the installation instructions and the child seems comfortable in the seat, that the child is safe. This is not always the case. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Flower Mound Police Department at 972.874.3343.

There are several reasons this may occur. The location may be a Traffic Enforcement and Accident Management (TEAM) location. In addition to TEAM locations, it is sometimes necessary to address other traffic complaints with several officers. The complaints either require more than one officer to work for safety reasons or warrant more than one officer due to the nature or frequency of the violation.

Yes. Call the Flower Mound Police Department’s crime tip line at 972.874.3307. If reporting a crime in progress, contact the Flower Mound Police Department at 972.539.0525. If it is an emergency call 9-1-1.

Yes. The finger printing service is offered to Flower Mound Residents at no charge and to nonresidents for $20. The Flower Mound Police Department does not offer finger printing for immigration documents. Finger printing service is available noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. For any additional questions contact the records section at 972.874.3328.

You can retrieve the report online at http://flowermoundtx.policereports.us/ or you can purchase a report by appearing at the records section of the Flower Mound Police Department at 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane anytime between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. There is an administrative fee of $6 for each copy regardless if you obtain the report online or in person. If you have questions in reference to acquiring a copy of an accident report, contact the records section at 972.874.3328.

The easiest way to obtain or renew an alarm permit is by using the online application below. An annual fee of $35 for residents and $50 for businesses is required for all new permits or annual renewals.

You may also make a credit card payment for renewals at 877-356-7875.

Printed copies of the application are available at the Police Department Records Section at 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane. Once you have completed the printed application they may be mailed with your check to:Town of Flower MoundPO BOX 143186Irving, Tx 75014-3186

Your alarm registration information is needed to assist members of the Police and Fire departments with providing a continued high level of customer service that improves the quality of life in the Town of Flower Mound. Additionally, use of an alarm system without a permit as required by Town ordinance will result in a fine for operating an alarm system without a permit. This offense is punishable by a fine amount up to $500.

Yes. The Town of Flower Mound uses a service to manage the alarm permit accounts. The mailing address for this service is:P.O. Box 26364Colorado Springs, CO 80936The Customer Service number is 877-356-7875.

9-1-1 services are to be used in emergency situations only. The purpose of this number is to expedite emergency response. Your misuse of 9-1-1 could result in criminal charges being filed against the caller. For nonemergency calls, dial 972.539.0525.

You may report such action to the Police Department and we will attempt to locate the vehicle. However, we may only take action if a police officer personally observes an offense. If you can safely record and provide the make, color, license plate, and if possible a description of the driver. The Police Department can send a letter to the registered owner’s address. The letter advises they were seen driving in a reckless manner and actions were reported.

Sidewalks are a very important means of travel for our residents, especially children and senior citizens. The town began this program in order to accomplish three primary goals: 1) improve our defective sidewalks and ensure that our walkways remain safe for all our residents, 2) provide a low-cost and convenient sidewalk repair option to Flower Mound homeowners, and 3) maintain property values throughout the town.

Sidewalks in Flower Mound are the responsibility of the property owner. Cities throughout Texas handle sidewalk maintenance differently. Like many other cities, Flower Mound maintains sidewalks adjacent to arterial or collector streets and those adjacent to public property, all park trails, and handicap ramps on public streets. The town does not maintain sidewalks adjacent to private property. Early in Flower Mound’s history, town leaders made a policy decision to not incur the cost of sidewalk repair and replacement adjacent to private property. This decision allows the town to commit more of our limited funds to road building, expansion, and maintenance.

The town purchases concrete in large volumes through a competitive bidding process. As a result, the cost is likely to be significantly less than hiring a concrete contractor independently for a relatively small, one-time job.

Code enforcement officers will issue notices to those who have not participated in the program or have not completed their sidewalk repair independently. The town will then hire contractors on a case-by-case basis to repair the sidewalks. Once the repair has been completed, the homeowner has 30 days to pay the bill or a lien for the cost of the repair, plus administrative cost, is attached to the property. This will result in higher costs to the homeowner as the concrete work is hired independently of the program and administrative costs are added to the total.

During the removal and replacement of an existing sidewalk, it is not uncommon for the contractor to come into contact with irrigation systems, if they exist. The Town of Flower Mound advises that homeowners operate their irrigation system before and immediately after the contractor performs the sidewalk replacement to ensure that it is functioning properly. If you find an issue with the irrigation system after the contractor completes their work, please contact the Town of Flower Mound Public Works by calling 972.874.6400.

Traffic signals are used to assign vehicular and pedestrian right-of-way. They are used to promote the orderly movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and to prevent excessive delay to waiting traffic.

Traffic signals should not be installed unless one of the warrants specified by the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) has been satisfied. The satisfaction of a warrant is not in itself justification for a signal. A traffic engineering study must be conducted to determine if the traffic signal should be installed.

Disconnections are completed Monday thru Friday as early as 7 am. No weekends or holidays. Requested disconnection date shall be completed no earlier than the following business day. If you do not receive a call from a Utility Billing representative confirming your form has been received, please contact us at 972-874-6010. Request for Disconnection Form

Initiating service requires a completed application, a $60.00 deposit, and a $15.00 service fee. The application may be submitted in person or by fax. If you do not receive a call from a Utility Billing representative confirming your form has been received, please contact us at 972-874-6010. The deposit and the fee can either be paid at the time of application or can be billed to the account. Utility Service Application

The deposit is held on the account until twelve consecutive months of no late payments and no return checks, or until the account is closed. The deposit will then be credited to the balance of the account.

Garbage service is started at the same time you begin water service. The garbage service is provided by Waste Management but billed by the Town of Flower Mound. A 95-gallon container is provided as well as a 95-gallon recycle container. Garbage, recycling, and bulk items are picked up once a week. The Town of Flower Mound will notify Waste Management to deliver containers, to new homes upon initiation of a new account. Containers are typically already present at an existing home. For additional information related to garbage and recycling services please visit Trash/Recycling on the Town's website.

Boxes can be put out with your weekly trash service. Boxes should be flattened, stacked, and placed near the curb. If bundled, they should weigh no more than 50 pounds. Waste Management will pick up the equivalent of a 3’x 3’ x 6’ area.

The Town of Flower Mound accepts payment by check, cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, and automatic bank draft. We have a night drop box available 24-hours a day located on the east side of Town Hall. An inside window is available: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

There are various reasons for high water bills. Often, the cause is related to a sprinkler system as sprinkler systems can use up to 60 gallons of water per minute, per zone. You can read your water meter before and after using the sprinkler system to get an accurate usage for lawn watering. Water leaks are another reason for high usage. A leak 1/32” in diameter can use 180 gallons in 24 hours, 5,400 per month.

If a leak occurs during the business hours of 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, please call the Utility Billing Division at 972.874.6010 for a service technician to turn off your water so repairs can be made.

If an emergency leak is discovered and you require assistance turning off the water after hours, please call 972-539-0525 and the appropriate personnel will contact the Service Department to come and turn off your water.

Call the Utility Billing Division number when your repairs are finished for your water to be turned back on. Yes, it is okay if the plumber turns it back on and most often they do.

If the leak causes your bill to go up higher than normal, contact the Utility Billing Division to see if an adjustment is available.

Choose a time when water will not be used for at least 6 to 8 hours (such as over night or if no one will be home during the day). Take a meter reading before and after the allotted time, if there is a difference in the readings there is possibly a leak.

Sewer rates are based on water consumption during the months of December, January and February (when water consumption is generally the lowest). For additional information, please see the Water / Sewer section. Water / Sewer

Between April 1 and October 31, there is no watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Any mandatory restrictions will be broadcast on local cable channels, reported in the local paper, and posted at Town Hall. For additional information, please contact our office. Contact Our Office

The Town of Flower Mound has six billing cycles every month to allow customers more time to pay their water bills. With six billing cycles, it is the policy of the Meter Services Division to read all meters on a monthly basis. In accordance with this policy, the bill you receive will be on a monthly basis. The meter readers are equipped to read your meter with an electronic reading device. This device downloads the current usage into the utility billing system, eliminating any guesswork or human error.In some circumstances, where a meter has to be read manually, the meter readers are equipped to read the meter by hand with special tools. Because all of the meters are located in meter boxes that are placed in the ground, dirt accumulation is a constant problem. Weather, soil type, leaves, and ant beds all contribute to the situation. Whenever this occurs and a water meter needs to be read manually, the meter readers simply brush away the dirt to reveal the meter dial. They also have specially designed reading tubes to read through the water in order to acquire a read, which, in turn, is entered into the hand-held equipment manually.

In the meter box located on your property is an angle stop. The angle stop has two ears on the left and right sides. The middle of the angle stop is marked with an arrow, indicating which direction the water is flowing. To turn off the water at the angle stop, place channel locks or a special turn off wrench (which can be purchased at your local hardware store) on the center of the angle stop, where the arrow is located. Turn angle stop clockwise until both ears are together, approximately 180 degrees. To turn water back on, turn the angle stop approximately 180 degrees the opposite way, or until the arrow on the angle stop is facing the meter.